Jays Rookie Loses One-Hitter, Game

American League

Paul Menhart made one mistake Wednesday. As a result, he lost a no-hitter as well as the game.

Harold Baines’ second-inning homer, the only hit allowed by the Toronto rookie, powered Mike Mussina to his career-high eighth straight win as the Baltimore Orioles edged the visiting Blue Jays 1-0 at Camden Yards.

Menhart (1-2), making his third major league start in place of Al Leiter, pitched his first complete game in the majors. He struck out three and walked four.

“It hurts a lot. Earlier this year I had two starts, gave up five runs in each and got no decision,” Menhart said. “It’s not fair, but that’s baseball.”

Baines’ 15th homer was enough offense for Mussina, who did not allow a runner past second base.

Baines’ clout was the extent of the Baltimore attack, with the exception of the sixth, when Menhart walked the bases loaded with two outs before retiring Bobby Bonilla on a groundball.

Rangers 5, A’s 4

Oakland

Jeff Frye hit a three-run homer and Will Clark followed with a solo shot as Texas scored four runs in the fifth.

Scott Taylor (1-1), making his second major-league start, allowed a two-run homer by Scott Brosius in the third and a two-run double by George Williams in the sixth. He gave up eight hits in 5-2/3 innings.

White Sox 5, Royals 2

Chicago

Frank Thomas celebrated his fifth anniversary in the majors with his 28th homer to give Chicago a win over Kansas City.

Thomas, who joined the Sox on Aug. 2, 1990, greeted reliever Hipolito Pichardo (7-4) with a 407-foot homer to center, a two-run shot in the fifth that put Chicago ahead 3-2.

Brewers 5, Yankees 2

New York

Dave Nilsson hit a two-run home run in the eighth to break a 2-2 tie as Steve Sparks and Milwuakee defeated New York and snapped a five-game losing streak.

Nilsson’s homer, his fifth, was a two-run shot off reliever Steve Howe and the Brewers added another run in the inning on John Jaha’s RBI single.

Tigers 5, Red Sox 0

Detroit

Travis Fryman hit two homers and Sean Bergman (4-6) pitched a four-hit shutout as Detroit ended a five-game losing streak with a win over Roger Clemens (3-4) and Boston.

Lou Whitaker and Fryman hit back-to-back homers off Clemens to break a scoreless tie in the fifth.

Indians 12, Twins 6

Cleveland

Paul Sorrento hit his third career grand slam and Albert Belle homered twice as Cleveland beat Minnesota.

Kenny Lofton had three hits, including two triples, and three RBIs for the Indians, who had lost five of their previous seven games. They improved baseball’s best record to 60-27 while dropping Minnesota’s record - the worst in the game - to 31-57.

Clearing the bases

Danny Tartabull, who is 1 for 11 since being acquired by Oakland last week, reinjured his ribs while batting against Texas and had to leave the game. In the meantime, the A’s activated Mark McGwire from the disabled list and optioned Ernie Young to Edmonton of the Pacific Coast League… . Texas said right-hander Danny Darwin will be signed to a major league contract and start for the club Saturday at California.